Self-locking hinge.



Patented Feb. 17, 1914 'mfaes'ses;

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GEORGE W. FERNALD, OF WAL'IHAIVI, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO LYIVIAN K. EDDY,

OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SELF-LOCKING- HINGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 17, 1914;.

Application filed June 20, 112. Serial No. 704,731.

To all whom it may concern Be it knownthat I, GEORGE W. FERNALD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Waltham, in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Locking Hinges, of which the following is a full and exact description.

The hinges embodying my invention are primarily designed for what are usually termed blinds, but they may be used for shutters, screen doors and other swinging members which are desired to remain either open or closed without other locking means. Their construction and operation are as hereinafter set forth, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of one of the hinges, showing the same in connection with portions of a blind and window casing. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the hinge member designed to be attached to the window casing. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 4; is a perspective view from beneath, of the other hinge member. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the spring.

Each of the two hinge members 1 and 2 are made from sheet metal bent to form an L, the vertical sections 3, 4 being formed with screw holes for attachment to the respective parts. The horizontal section 5 of the member 2 is provided with a pintle 6 projecting rigidly below, while the horizontal section 7 of the other member is formed with an eye 9 adapted to loosely receive said pintle; the ends of said horizontal sections being rounded concentric with the pintle and eye respectively. There being two such hinges for each blind or other structure, the latter swing freely thereon in the usual manner. In order to lock the blind in either its wide open or its shut position, I form one of the horizontal sections, preferably the upper one 5, with two diametrically opposite lugs 10 projecting for a short distance below the surface, the distance being a trifle over a sixteenth of an inch. Through the section 7 are formed two holes 11 disposed to receive said lugs both when the blind is shut and also when the latter is wide open. These lugs, as also said holes, are slightly tapered, so that when force is applied to swin the blind, said lugs will rise up and out rom said holes and permit the blind to be moved. The weight of the blind alone is sufficient thus to lock the blind in place, but a light breeze will cause the blind to rattle and a high wind is liable to blow the blind loose from the locking means and even to separate it from its window casing. To remedy this, I provide a spring 12 carried by the member 1 and adapted to press the section 5 firmly down upon the section 7, the strength of the spring being proportioned to accomplish the desired results, while still permitting the blind to be swung away from its locked positions by the exertion of a proper amount of energy. Said spring is preferably bent over on itself and given a foot 13 adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the horizontal section 5, while its other half is vertical and formed with a terminal head 14 and neck 15. In the horizontal section 7 at the junction thereof with the vertical section 3, is a slot 16 stepped at its ends so that its length next the section 3 is in excess of its length farther away. The longer length fits the head 14, and the shorter length fits said neck 15. The two parts of said spring being given a normal inclination toward each other less than that to which they are forced when put in the operative position illustrated in Fig. 1, when said head is introduced within said slot and forced downward therein until the neck reaches the shorter part of the slot, and the foot 131s resiliently pressing upon the section 5, said neck snaps into engagement with the shorter part of said slot, the head comes beneath the ends of the metal thereat, and the spring is locked in place.

I prefer to make the pintle of one hinge of a pair longer than the pintle of the other hinge in order to aid in putting the blinds on after they have been removed.

Even without the locking lugs and holes, these hinge members and spring operate effectively and without rattle or danger of accidental unshipment, for houses which are already supplied with fastening devices; but the whole thing complete is much to be preferred; saves all rattle in storms; obviates leaning far out of the window to fasten a blind back against the house or to unfasten it in order to close it; prevents loose and banging blinds, and prevents many a smashed window pane from being struck by a wildly swinging blind in a gale.

Although I have described as my preterable construction one wherein a hinge is formed with two lugs 10 and two holes 11, yet it is obvious that one alone of each can be employed with good. results, but 1 prefer the two as being stronger and more secure.

All that needs to be done in order to remove a blind, is to press the heads of the springs back toward the house to release the heads from the slots, when the springs will usually snap up and out "from the slots and the hinges will thus be free from their confinement.

What I claim as my invention and for which I desire Letters Patent is as follows, to wit 1. A hinge comprising two sheet metal members each formed with a vertical section and a horizontal section, one of the horizontal sections having one or more lugs, the other horizontal section having holes adapted to receive said lugs, and a spring bent to form a vertical part and a presser foot, the latter being adapted to yieldingly press down upon the upper horizontal section, and

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner the vertical part of the spring being removably attached to the hinge member of which the undermost horizontal section is a part.

2. A hinge comprising two sheet metal members each formed with a vertical section and a horizontal section, one of the horizontal sections having one or more lugs, the other horizontal section having holes adapt ed to receive said lugs, said lugs being tapered, and a spring bent to form a vertical art and a prcsser foot, the latter being adapted to yieldingly press down on the upper horizontal section, the vertical part oi said spring being formed with a terminal head and neck, and the under horizontal section being formed with a stepped slot adapted to receive said head and neck and to removably lock the spring in place.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing invention, 1 have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of June, 1912.

GEORGE W. FERNALD.

Witnesses:

A. B. UPI-1AM, H. L. VVHITTLESEY.

of .Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

